Ringer-Verse Recommends: November 2025 (Featuring 'It: Welcome to Derry')
We all pod down here. You'll pod, too. Recommends returns for a Thanksgiving feast! First, Ben brings on Zach Dionne to talk about 'It: Welcome to Derry,' Hollywood's obsession with Stephen King (including several new adaptations in 2025), the dos and don'ts of adapting King, the historical highs and lows, and the future of King's work on-screen. After that, other Ringer-Verse hosts and friends salute unsung releases to complete another expanded installment of the monthly roundup of fandom favorites from TV, anime, movies, video games, books, comics, and beyond that were released recently but not yet covered in-depth on a full-length episode.
(00:00) Intro
(02:38) 'It: Welcome to Derry' with Zach Dionne
(19:17) Bigger Stephen King discussion
(49:22) Van's recommendation
(50:20) Steve's recommendation
(51:30) Daniel's recommendation
(53:58) Chuck's recommendation
(54:30) Matt's recommendation
(59:48) Jomi's recommendation
(61:16) Listener recommendation
Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Zach Dionne, Jomi Adeniran, Steve Ahlman, Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Matt James, and Daniel Chin
Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman
Social: Jomi Adeniran
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1:08:25
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1:08:25
Speedrunning the Surprise Steam Sensations of 2025 | Button Mash
Ben brings on Simon Carless of GameDiscoverCo and Morgan Park of PC Gamer to explain the success of some of the most popular games released this year that haven’t previously been discussed on the podcast: surprise Steam sensations ‘R.E.P.O.,’ ‘Schedule I,’ ‘Peak,’ ‘Megabonk,’ ‘Escape From Duckov,’ and ‘RV There Yet?’ They break down how unknown PC games go viral, how long their time in the spotlight usually lasts, and what these huge hits have to teach us about the gaming landscape in 2025.
Intro (0:00)Steam sensations speedrun (11:52)Outro (1:17:15)
Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Simon Carless and Morgan ParkProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
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1:21:03
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1:21:03
'Wicked: For Good' Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back for good! They unpack all things ‘Wicked: For Good,’ including the highly anticipated musical numbers, the interweaving of the original ‘Wizard of Oz’ story, and the depiction of animals in the movie.
(0:00) Intro
(9:27) Spoilers ahead
(11:11) ‘Wicked: For Good’ reactions
(1:02:35) Midnight Meter
(1:21:46) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1:25:40
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1:25:40
The Online Shooters Shoot-Out: ‘Battlefield’ vs. ‘Call of Duty’ vs. ‘ARC Raiders’ | Button Mash
Ben is joined by Kotaku’s Claire Jackson and Zack Zwiezen as they react to the just-announced nominations for the Game Awards (focusing on the Game of the Year candidates, the record number of nominations for ‘Clair Obscur,’ and the debate about the definition of “indie”) and then break down the industry implications, player considerations, and AI ramifications of the competition brewing among a trio of online-multiplayer powerhouse shooters: ‘Battlefield 6,’ ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 7,’ and ‘ARC Raiders.’
Intro (0:00)
The Game Awards nominations (3:23)
The first-person shooter showdown (22:10)
Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Claire Jackson and Zack Zwiezen
Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1:23:57
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1:23:57
Brainiac in ‘Superman 2’? Plus ‘Running Man’ Reactions! | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re ready to talk all things ‘The Running Man’! Then they get into the nerd news of the week with ‘Superman 2’ and even do a mini draft of the best rappers-turned-actors.
(0:00) Intro
(7:07) Spoilers ahead
(9:36) Instant reactions to ‘The Running Man’
(55:05) Midnight Meter
(57:33) Nerd News
(1:11:30) Outro
(1:14:58) Post Credits
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
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The Ringer-Verse is your go-to nexus podcast feed for all things nerd culture and fandom, featuring:
'The Midnight Boys': Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman react to the latest in fandom and share their instant reactions to the newest nerd culture releases, all while bringing the banter every week.
'Mint Edition': Steve, Jomi, and Jessica Clemons gather every other week to share their unique takes on the movies and shows that are animating the fandom.
'Button Mash': Ben Lindbergh and Jessica discuss the latest in the world of video games, from headline-making new releases, to industry trends, to game swaps and nostalgic re-plays.
'Splash Page': Jessica breaks down the latest Easter eggs and theories from all of your favorite content. Not sure if that was a Mephisto reference in the latest 'Loki' episode? Wondering what exactly that post-credits scene means? Eager to know how a new trailer sets up your most anticipated release of the season? Jessica will answer all of those questions and more in her video podcasts.
Follow the new House of R feed for deep dives from Mal and Jo!
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